THE AEROPLANE TRAGEDY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 42, 13 November 1920, Page 10

THE AEROPLANE TRAGEDY

—« MOURNING IN NEW PLYMOUTH. By - Tolerrapli—Press Association. New Plymouth, November 13. New Plvmouth was filled with moumi.ue for tho dead to-day, people, being deeplv shaken by yesterday afternoons aeronlane disaster. No tragedy ha 3 ever caused - such (profound mourning here and grief has been shared in every home bv friends of the deceased and strangers alike. Thero were many silent thouslits for tlio dead airman far awav from home, and arrangements have been made for many wreaths.. As a Inst, tribute the R.S.A. is arranging a military funeral. Crepe ribands at tho entrance to the municipal offices and half-masted flags were tokens of bereavement. in the loss of the chief citizen of tho town. .. . A special meeting of tho New Plymouth Boroush Council this morning passed a resolution expressing profound sorrow at Thursday's tragedy, and tendering deepest sympathy to the Mayoress and family. Resolutions of condolence with the relatives of the late Miss Warlioek and the late Captain Russell were also passed by the council. That the mourning is not only .provincial but is also Dominion-wide is indicated bv tlio large number of messages received from all parts. His Excel ency the Governor-General (Viscount Jellicop) lias telecraphed to the Mayoress as follows —"Dwply critved to hear of two sad accident. We sympathise most sincerely with you in your, sorrow , I lie Hon.' J. G. Coates (Postmaster-General) wired: "Please accept my deepost sympathy in the great loss you have sub* tinned. It has been a most unfortunate accident, and has caused a great shoclc throughout New Zealand I lie follow! ns messase was received from Mr. Leo Walsh'"The principals and stall of tho New Zealand Plying School tender their most heartfelt sympathies in your sad bereavement." Others who sent messages of sympathy to Mrs,• Clarko wpre Mopftrs. S. G. Smith nnA M Callum, MP's for Taranaki and Wairau respectively, Mr. Charles H. Burgess (Mr. Clarke's predecessor in office), and tlio Mayors of tho following towns :-Hastiixtrs, Wat tarn, Napier, and Whakatano, and Mr G. T. Murray (on bclmlf of the Public Works -Department).. In .addij tion to file telegrams above-mentioned there were many private communications. The "eneral manager of the New Plymouth Borough Council received telecrams from the Hon. 0. Samuel and the Mayors of Hawera, Manala, Eltham, Pukekohe. and Hastings. Mr V. C. Walsh has been the recipient of many messages of sympathy from all parts of New Zealand. A telcCTam from tho Hon .T. G. Coates read: "Greatly shocked to learn of your great misfortune and of the loss of such a fine fellow as Laptain Russell. Accept my extreme reirret and sincere sympathy. Amona those well known in the aviation world who sent messages were the Hon H. i'. Wieram. M.L.C. (chairman of the Canterbury Aviation Company), Captain Dulin. and Mr. Hewlett officials of the company), Mr. Wigley (Timam Aviation Company), Captain Isitt (officer in chargo of Government machines at Christchurch). and Curtain Wilkes to tlio Air Board). In communications to Mr. Walsh, old pupils of the school figured prominently, and on 6 telegram was signed by six who were associated with Captain Russell during lus training noviod at TCohimarana, Many other friends in places included in the tour sent their condolences. Tho funeral of the late Mayor is to be held on Sunday at 2 p.m., and will be a civic one.